Why Choose North Shore Elementary

A Local Gem

Enjoy lunch outside in the quaint courtyard.

Enjoy lunch outside in the quaint courtyard.

North Shore Elementary has been proudly serving students for over 90 years and is the alma mater to many of today’s leaders in St. Petersburg. It is a small school with character, compassion, diversity, and ingenuity that continues
to define what successful public education should and can look like. With approximately 350 students, the small size of North Shore allows for all teachers and staff to know all students, not just the ones in their classes. Whether
you are walking around the campus, participating in school-wide events, or at Majestic Mondays (the monthly spirit assemblies) you can see and hear teachers, students, and parents supporting each other and engaging in each other’s
lives. Additionally, the teachers who come to North Shore Elementary to teach stay there, and are continually supported to grow and develop their craft as they see fit. All of this combines to create a truly amazing school community
and feel.

Community

Students entertaining families at one of their musical performances.

Students entertaining families at one of their musical performances.

There is something incredibly rewarding about sending your child to the school next door. Friends, activites and events are nearby. You see the same faces, and grow to care for and respect your neighbors. Coincidentally, this has created
an incredibly active group of parents and community members making up both the
Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) and
School Advisory Committee (SAC) who continue to support and challenge the school to be the best it can be.

Faculty & Staff

Our leaders are welcoming to our families and community.

Our leaders are welcoming to our families and community.

Principal Cooper Dawson has been a principal in the Pinellas County School system since 2005 and spent the prior 10 years in the classroom. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of South Florida, and
brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge. She has created a caring a nurturing environment, motivating staff and students to work as a community alway in the pursuit of excellence. She continues to make great strides
in ensuring North Shore Elementary as a dynamic, engaging, and successful school. Additionally, she promotes professional development for her teachers, and the inclusion of alternate programs like Castle Apprentice Program (
CAP), a project-based learning approach for all students.

The School Grade

Florida School Accountability Reports currently
grades North Shore Elementary as a B. While the staff should be proud of the increase from last year, we want to caution parents that the school grade is not a sufficient enough measure alone (in other words, it doesn't
tell the true story of a school and all of its accomplishments and challenges). North Shore proudly maintains a robust ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) program. They have approximately one unit (or class) per grade made up of students
that qualify for ASD services. These students are all tested the same as the rest of the student body. Being a small school and having 12% of our student population qualifying as ASD students can and does impact our school grade. Furthermore,
the clear correlation between poverty and lower school grades throughout the Pinellas County School district illuminates that a measure of educational excellence cannot be solely determined by this current matrix.

The school grade cannot be all that prospective parents should care about. It is our belief that gearing specifically towards tests does not ensure a well rounded education for our kids.
Homework policies,
teacher engagement,
recess time,
after-school enrichments, and many other factors go into the North Shore experience. We strongly encourage all families who are considering North Shore elementary to
schedule a tour and see first hand how NSE meets the needs of all students.

Jean Marie and Heather LeonParents to 3rd grader

Teachers, administrators, and staff work closely with each other to make the school a supportive learning community. We are proud of the strides NSE has made toward inclusiveness and greater comprehensive educational opportunities.

A Bright Future

School Assemblies bring the community together to share in student successes, faculty appreciation, and a good dose of fun!

School Assemblies bring the community together to share in student successes, faculty appreciation, and a good dose of fun!

About Friends

Students at Crisp park.

Students at Crisp park.

Friends of North Shore Elementary (FNSE) was founded from sidewalk conversations in 2015. Neighbors with preschool aged children were asking themselves, “Why are families in one neighborhood attending over 10 different elementary
schools instead of North Shore Elementary, our zoned school?” The interest in this idea was incredibly strong, and it was clear that many individuals wanted to support their neighborhood school. With the purpose to help bring
positive focus and contribution to North Shore Elementary, FNSE incorporated as a non-profit in December 2015 and was established as a 501(c)(3) a few months later.

Questions?

What is the homework policy? North Shore believes in its teachers, and that they know how their students will learn and experience school best. As such, homework is a teacher-by-teacher choice. Continue reading about
this and other questions in our FAQ which details more about the school, performance, teachers, events, tours and Friends of North Shore.